Daily Bread - January 3, 2005

But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

I gave you a heart of thanksgiving. Now express your appreciation for the things that I have done for you. You did not arrive in this place of yourself. I am responsible for bringing you here. Everything that I have allowed has been for your good. The devil meant things in your life for bad, but I meant them for good. I have allowed you to avoid many bad things that the evil one planned for you. Be thankful. Do not allow your gratitude to remain unexpressed, for appreciation that is not expressed is dead. The usual way of expressing gratitude is by thanksgiving. Your tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Write a thank you note with the voice of thanksgiving today. You are blessed. Who blessed you?

Can you really say that you are thankful if you will not give thanks to the one who did things for you?

It is impossible for thankless people to be divinely blessed. One secret to being successful is thankfulness. If you will not give thanks for the things you have now, how will you be thankful if you are successful?

You must learn to be thankful in the small things and then will I bless you with greater things. Are you aware of the many small things that I do for you?

I am developing hearts that are aware and appreciative of me and the things that I do for them. My people must learn to be grateful. Some cannot praise me freely because they are not thankful. They are not aware of the big part that I perform in their livelihood. Without me, they can do nothing. Go and teach them awareness of me and my blessings and a readiness to acknowledge me and those blessings. When they acknowledge me and my blessings, they publish with the voice of thanksgiving and tell of my wondrous works. Go and say, "Publish the Lord's goodness and his many blessings." They shall offer thanksgiving unto me, and call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver them, for they have glorified me. Those who forget me shall be torn in pieces, and there will be none to deliver them. Whoever offers praise, glorifies me.

In their songs, praise me and my glorious name. Magnify me with the voice of thanksgiving. Sing unto the Lord, and let a joyful noise to the rock of your salvation be proclaimed in the earth. I am your maker; therefore, kneel before me. Bow down, and worship the King of kings. I am your God, and you are the people of my pasture, the sheep of my hand. Hear my voice today, and do not harden your hearts. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Serve me with gladness. Come before my presence with singing. I am your God. I made you. You did not make yourselves. Enter into my gates with thanksgiving and into my courts with praise. Be thankful unto me, and bless my name. I am good. My mercy is everlasting, and my truth has endured unto your generation. Offer praise for my goodness and for my wonderful works to the children of men. Let all the people sacrifice with the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare my works with rejoicing.

Amos 3: 7 - 8

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?